Technical Writing

Technique 2

DESCRIPTION
OF A
MECHANISM
 KNOWLEDGE ACTIVATORS
Vocabulary /Language Improvement
Examine how the long and wordy phrases in this page
appears shorter. Taking the shorter form, any technical
written work will function more effectively.
Long/Wordy Phrase Short/Familiar Words
along the lines like
an additional another
at a rapid rate fast
at this point in time now
Long/Wordy Phrase Short/Familiar Words
as a consequence because
come to end end
despite the fact that although
during the time that during
in all cases always

in order to purchase to buy

in the final analysis finally
in the event that if
in the proximity of near
in accordance with according to
Long/Wordy Phrase Short/Familiar Words
in the first place first
in the vicinity of near
in some instances sometimes
on a daily basis daily
prior to before

in the near future soon

with regards to about
relative to my about
until such time when
due to the fact that since
Long/Wordy Phrase Short/Familiar Words
enclosed please find enclosed
on the part of by
for the purpose of for
in connection with about
in order to to

in the interest of for

in this case here
at the present time now
subsequent to after
through the use of by, with
stunted in growth stunted
Vocabulary Practice I.
Replace the long wordy phrases in each sentence with short
familiar expressions.

1. The engineer cannot demonstrate the use of

the machine at this point in time.
2. During the course of the conversation, many
asked questions about the engineer’s Harvard
schooling.
3. In order to purchase the item, they have to
know the main function of the object.
4. Is there a necessity for an additional
explanations about the machine?
5. Do not worry, his explanations about the
machines will come to an end.

6. Stop explaining about what you are promoting at

a rapid rate.

7. I know you will buy the item in the near future.

8. In the event that you return the item, you will pay
an extra amount.

9. Enclosed please find two documents about the

scientist’s latest invention.

10. In some instances, we attend to more than a

dozen orders.
Vocabulary Practice II.
Make each text give a better description of the mechanism by
substituting the long and wordy phrases with short and
familiar expressions.

Compact Disc or CD
A small disc is a small plastic disc used for the purpose of
recorded sound or other data. The disc has the composition
of a transparent coating that serves as a protection for the
stored information and allows to be read through the use
of a laser beam. In the new recording industry, the compact
disc or CD has virtually served as the replacement of the
long playing record.
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 A Lawn Mower
A lawn mower is a machine that functions through the use
of a power or the use of hands for the purpose of trimming
a lawn. Despite the fact that it is a little bit costly, many of
my neighbors are interested in placing their orders for this
mechanism. In the vent that the Dafondandax Company
fails to respond favorably to their orders, the customers
will surely turn to other business companies in order to
purchase this mechanism.
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 Reaming Machine
A reaming machine is a device that polishes and
adjusts the diameter of a cylinder during the time that
it is being drilled. This mechanism was invented by
John Wilkinson prior to the invention of the milling
machine. As a consequence of its many uses, at this
point in time, many consider the reaming machine as
one of the most useful industrial machines.
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Concept Liners
Describe your surroundings. What do you
mean by describing a person, place or a
thing?

What about in technical writing,

what do you often describe?
How do you describe it?
MODEL PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Read the way this text describes a computer.

Computer
A computer is an automatic device that is
capable of carrying out calculations according to a
predetermined set of instructions. First developed
in 1940’s, this technological development has been
rapid. Coming in different sizes, it is small as a
pocket, a notebook or a 14 inch T.V. set. As such in
size, it is portable or stagnant on a desk. The cost
of this machine varies according to size and the
number of activities it can perform.
Based on its mode of operation, it exists as an analog,
digital or a combination of the two. As an analog, it
performs simulations like the outcome of a missile launch
or the effects of winds and rain on the flight of an aircraft .
Working a digital or personal computer, it types letters,
solves more problems, draws, paints colorful materials like
banners and books. A computer is composed of these
major parts: keyboard, mouse, system unit, monitor and
printer.

The first part of the computer is the keyboard .This is a

device used to enter data by pressing a key similar to the
typewriter keyboard. Its parts are : (1.) letter keys which are
made up of letters, symbols and special keys; (2) numeric
keys which are composed of numbers zero to nine; (3)
cursor or arrow keys that shows left to right or top to bottom
directions.
 The second part is the Mouse. This is a hand-held
object with rollers on its base for controlling the position
of the cursor on the screen. The typical mouse is rolled
across a flat surface and this produces a corresponding
movement in the cursor on the screen such as pointing,
clicking, dragging, or double-clicking. It has four parts
namely, button, trackball, palm rest and long cable.

The System Unit or the CPU (central

processing unit) is the third major part of a
computer. This takes care of the arithmetic
and logical operations of the machine. Acting
as the brain of the computer, it contains the
main memory and instructions to carry our
system control functions. This part of the
computer has the following components:
1. Internal memory. This is made up of semi-
conductor integrated circuits or memory chips with
the capacity to store or retain data in two ways:
ROM (read only memory) and RAM ( random
access memory)
2. External memory . Unlike the internal memory that
stores data inside the CPU, this external memory
stores data outside the CPU by means of devices
like magnetic tapes, disk, flask, drive or USB and so
on.

3. Disk drive. This is where you can inset the floppy

disk, flash drive or USB for data or information-
storage purposes.

4. Power switch. Diverting an electric current from one

wire to another and making or breaking an electric
circuit are the main functions of this part called Power
switch.
 5. Light Emitting Diode(LED). This device lights up
when a proper current passes through it. Its light
output is not created by a superheated flament but
by electrons jumping from higher to lower energy
states. It is in calculators where you can mostly find
these kinds of electrons.

6. Reset switch. A switch in the CPU that returns

the condition of a thing into its original or states is
called Rest switch.

The fourth part f the computer is the Monitor. This is a screen of

a cathrode-ray tube (CRT) or a televison-like display device
attached to a computer or used as a remote control. Switching on
the monitor makes you see what is going on in the computer.
Several components makes up a monitor : (1) Screen, that looks
like a tv screen on which an image is produced; (2) Casing,
which, look like a framework, encases the entire monitor; (3)
Base, which serves as the lowest part or the foundation on
which the monitor takes a fixed position;
 (4) Power switch, which is a button-like device situated
below the screen that you need to press or turn on to
convert electric power into voltages required for the electric
use of the computer; and (5) Stand, which is a hard, flat,
and rectangular material on which the base or foundation
of the monitor rests vertically or lays motionless.

The computer components works interactively to make the

machines achieve its purpose. Working as one, they all contribute
to the sequential or step-by-step operation of the computer as
power switching, waiting and watching the monitor as it performs
The Hardware Self-Test , waiting for the appearance of the
Windows Desktop, clicking on the start button, and go to All
Programsfor the particular activity you want to go through your
computer. Being a machine, a computer greatly depends on the
operation of all its components ,big or small, to function smoothly
and completely.
-Adapted from Computers
by Larry Long and Nancy Long
Reflection Time:

1. How does the text

describe a computer?
2. Describe how the
paragraph begins?

3. How would you compare the first

paragraph with the succeeding ones?

4. How does the first paragraph ends?

5. Compare and contrast the last paragraph

with the preceding paragraph?
 TEXTUAL READING

Description of a Mechanism
 is a technical writing technique that uses words and
visuals to create a picture of a mechanism or a
product.
WORDs are your number one instrument or a
capital in painting on a paper a vivid impression of the
object of the description:

* to make your readers visualize a product or

a mechanism in the same way as you
imagine it.
•Two main principal elements of this technique
are:

1. the writer and the observer of the

object of description:
2. object appealing to the writer’s
senses.

•Audience can be :
1. “high-tech” •They can be greatly
2. “low-tech” affected by your
3. “zero-tech” description.
Another important thing to consider in
describing a thing is : the purpose of your
paper.

Technical description has varied readers, purposes,

or uses. This is almost found in all kinds of written
communication.

Exposed in many aspects of life, technical writing

has no:
- definite structure -format
- length - content
- tone -specific placement
-location -position
Either a description serves as a part of a formal
report or functions as the framework of a service or
user’s manual ( Genson 2006)
What is often described in technical writing?

The answer is mechanism.

This is the reason why many technical-writing books

consider these two expressions synanymous.

Technical Description and

Description of a Mechanism
Mechanism
 is any device made up of a components
that systematically work together to
accomplish a certain purpose.

 it is a machine with assembled parts that

function in an organized way.

 Examples : scissors, calculators,

computers, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers,
etc.
Describing a mechanism requires you to give a
visual or mental pictures of a mechanism in a
sequential manner

 First, let your very first paragraph called

introduction begin with a formal or one-
sentence logical definition of the device.

 Second, take the option of making several

expanded types of definition like etymology,
history, and elimination follow the formal
definition.
 After defining the mechanism in several
ways, describe its general appearance or
overall picture that has something to do with
its quantifiable, sensory, and spatial
characteristics like its size, shape, weight,
height, texture, color, length, width, taste,
sound, state, ingredients, density, dimensions
and so on.

 The quantifiable characteristics of a

mechanism pertain to its physical properties
or aspects that are countable or measurable.
 The final part of your introductory
paragraph enumerates all the major or
principal parts of the mechanism which the
succeeding paragraphs ought to describe
one by one or part by part which shows your
organized way of presenting forthcoming
ideas.

 The introduction is followed by one or

several paragraphs describing each of the
major parts enumerated at the end of the
introduction.
Guidelines for Technical Descriptions
1. Start describing the mechanism by
presenting an entire view of the object.

For instance, if your topic is on cellphones,

describe the general experience of people in
relation to this mechanism.

2. Show the relationship of the components of

the mechanism by putting each under a
category.
3. Describe each element of a bigger part in
this manner.
a. Stress the distinguishing feature or property
of each subpart .
b. Explain its exception clearly from other parts.
c. Probe or conduct a thorough examination on
every observable constituent element of a
subpart.
d. Emphasize what a particular or subpart does
for the whole mechanism, rather than what is
in relation to the device.
e. Help the reader form a clear image of the
subject by using concrete, specific, and
informative language that is capable of
activating the reader’s senses.
Examples:

Not Specific Exact or Specific

A top-of-the-line camera a digital, lxus 70, 12. 1
megapixels
Attach properly attach horizontally
Below the frame five inches below the frame
A small blank object a circular brown knob with
one and ½ inch diameter
Mixture of materials a mixture of stones, sand
and cement
f. Be objective in describing. Focus on your
sensory experience about the subject.
However, in some cases, owing to your avid
desire to express your views about the
object, you are unable to maintain your
objectiveness.

Always see to it that sufficient factual data arising

from a scientific and important investigation of
the subject should support your opinionated
descriptions of the mechanism.
g. Point out significant things about the subject
clearly by using graphics and other visual
aids.

 Description and Description of Mechanism

Technical writing techniques are closely
related to each other.